The first time I ever saw a taro plant was in Hawaii. I think I re-read the sign twice to check the name placard. I didn’t realize that the plant had such huge, broad leaves! I guess I mainly thought of taro as that nutty but sweet root vegetable. In my life, I’ve heard ube and taro get swapped around a lot. But they’re different root vegetables. Ube is much sweeter and richer. While they both have dull brown exteriors, ube often has purple flesh. This vibrant color adds much pizzazz to … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Kok Chai
February 11, 2022 Leave a Comment
Kok chai: golden fried puffs filled with sweet peanut bits Yes, the Lunar New Year feasting is still continuing in my household. I got a batch of homemade kok chai delivered to me (thanks, fam!). These golden pastries are also known as mini peanut puffs. If you’re a peanut lover, these are an excellent snack! They’re like fried dumplings but instead of being filled with meat and vegetables, they have sweetened peanut bits. The ones I ate also had yummy coconut pieces mixed … [Read more...]
Chinese Rice Puffs
August 20, 2021 Leave a Comment
Chinese rice puffs (a.k.a. sachima): rectangular pastry cakes with almost braided layers I remember eating these as a kid. They've also been called Chinese Rice Krispies, but the consistency is totally different. It's not chewy or gooey and has a soft, pillowy texture (especially on the inside). The exterior is golden or golden brown (and can be fried). Some cooks will add surprises to the mix: sesame seeds, raisins, or dried coconut. The pastry squares aren't too sweet. Fun fact: … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Bubble Milk Tea Cakes
January 31, 2020 Leave a Comment
Bubble milk tea cake: a cross between pineapple cake and boba One of the treats I got from my recent Taiwan trip was a box of bubble milk tea cakes. Essentially, they’re pineapple cakes—baked delicacies reminiscent of Fig Newtons, down to their square shape. Instead of a fig filling, though, they use pineapple paste in them. This bubble milk tea version swaps out the traditional flavor and uses boba inside the treats. When I first saw the combo, I was hesitant to try them, but the … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Earl Grey Brioche
February 22, 2019 2 Comments
Earl Grey brioche: bread flavored with Earl Grey tea A lot of Asian bakeries like to infuse tea into their pastries. Usually, there's a splash of matcha in a few items. This time around, though, I wanted to check out the Earl Grey offerings. I found the Earl Grey brioche. The bread was soft and thick. However, it wasn't the same fluffy texture of a classic brioche pastry. I really enjoyed the black striations of tea mixed in. There's something rich about the taste and scent of … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Green Tea Croissant
August 17, 2018 6 Comments
Green tea croissant: classic crescent bun with matcha cream inside It was between this or an almond croissant at the bakery. The cute matcha sprinkles won me over. I’ve tried breaded goodies with green tea before, but not in this form. A croissant is an exquisite European delicacy. What could go wrong? I think it is an inspired Frasian (perhaps I just made up that word = French-Asian) combo. Somehow the multiple layers of a croissant didn’t work with the cream, though. I think it has to … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Kolaches
May 12, 2017 Leave a Comment
On my spring break trip, I discovered these pastry delights... Kolaches: Czech pastries They're soft, puffy dough pastries filled traditionally with sweet fixings. There were tons of bakeries selling these goodies around Texas. The more modern savory ones were stuffed with sausages or pulled pork. However, the tried-and-true types were dessert-like in taste. They remind me of danishes, but the outside layer isn't crumbly or flaky. It's a softer, pillow-like texture. Kolaches are great for … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Red Bean Bread
August 5, 2016 2 Comments
Ate some fresh... Red bean bread: pastry stuffed with red bean filling I had my first taste of this Korean pastry. It's a fluffy bread that's very soft and tender, more pastry-like than a bagel consistency. Inside is red bean paste, a thick filling of the legumes. Not a very sugary bread, it's great when you're craving just a little bit of sweetness. … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Char Siu Sou
March 4, 2016 Leave a Comment
Char siu sou: BBQ pork pastry Need an alternate to chicken pot pie? Try char siu sou! It's a savory meat pie with flaky crust. Also, I love the juxtaposition of barbecued pork in it, which adds a slight sweetness to the mix. You can find these delicacies on your local dim sum cart! Try a cheater's version (her words, not mine) of the recipe here. … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Taiwanese Puff Dessert
January 15, 2016 4 Comments
Well, I'm back from my trip to Taiwan, and I got to try this sweet treat! Taiwanese puff dessert: hollow, sweet ball Okay, so I'm not exactly sure what the real name of the dessert is, but it's known for its poofy appearance. There is a hollow cavity, but it has a slight molasses filling that clings to the inside of the pastry. The outside has a subtle flaky texture that crumbles easily. It's not an overly sweet dessert, but there's the hint of sugar that makes you crave more. … [Read more...]
